Trost neu
Sepulchral Culture
Based on the term sepulchral culture (lat. Sepulcrum = tomb), which includes many aspects in the context of dying and death, the section Dying – Death – Funeral – Mourning – Commemoration follows the course of action after a person's death. The exhibition raises questions about how people used to deal with death and how they prepared for it. What did funerals look like and how did people express their grief and how did they commemorate the deceased? These aspects are illustrated by collectible items and complemented by works of contemporary art and product design. Thus, changes in several objects of sepulchral culture become evident, as well as transforming attitudes toward dying and death. We wish you an interesting time discovering the sepulchral culture of the past and the present!
Artful Death
To this day, death is one of the most important topics in art. However, a homogenous image of death, as it can be found in medieval depictions of the Dance of Death, does not exist anymore in present-day pluralistic society. Corresponding to this development, contemporary artists deal with this topic in manifold ways. As death can only be experienced to a certain extent, artists are constantly searching for possibilities to approach this last stage of life. Or they question collective and individual efforts to perpetuate memories. Their artistic actions point out how society avoids the topic, for example by integrating archaic motifs of death in our industrialised everyday life that depends on technology. Or they question – in a slight ironic tone – the meaning behind standardised mourning and funeral rites. Artists also use the autonomy of art to conquer spaces in a world in which the scope of action is limited by laws, regulations and nominations.
Entirely black
Over time different rituals to express one's grief evolved. They mainly become visible during funerals within Christian liturgy (e.g. funeral sermon, prayers). For a long time, the most striking sign of mourning were black clothes. Their origin can be traced back to the sumptuary law issued by Charlemagne in 808. Thereafter, mourning clothes of the rich - he did not consider the ordinary people yet - were supposed to be black. This was only obligated at the funeral itself, but from the 16th century on, a long-term mourning attire evolved. In the 19th century, it would become customary in all social classes. The mourning costumes in rural areas were especially distinctive. The differences in design indicated the phase of mourning, the degree of kinship and taboos (e.g. prohibition of marriage, dance ban). Many additional artefacts of mourning emerged, also for commemoration. Accordingly, specific elements were always framed in dark colours or in black (e.g. obituaries, jewellery).
In the service of Dying and Death
When a person has died and death has been confirmed by a doctor a funeral has to be organised. In past times, it was a family's duty, today undertaker take care of it. Up to the 20th century neighbours used to offer their assistance. Moreover, practical help was offered by female funeral bidders who would wash and prepare the corpses. Funeral bidders would then announce the death and invite people to the funeral on behalf of the family members. The undertaker as a profession only emerged in the course of the 20th century. Its origins can be traced back to the carrier trade and the carpenter's trade, because coffins often were ordered from them. Additionally, they often helped with organizational tasks linked to a funeral. Nowadays, there are many other professions connected to dying and death, including health and geatric nurses and hospice workers. They work in institutions, which by now have become common places of dying. It has become rare to die in one's own house.
Well prepared? The hour of death
In Christianity the hour of death determinated what was waiting for the soul: eternal salvation or eternal damnation. That is why it was important to be prepared. A sudden death frightened medieval. However, dealing with the “ars moriendi”, the “art” to die in a “good” way, could save one from eternal damnation. It gave instructions for a correct life and would provide support in the hour of death, which was impossible to achieve without spiritual assistance. Forgiveness of one's sins, the anointing and the communion were called ""extreme Unction"" or ""Last Rites”. Up to the 20th century Catholic families had the required utensils. Due to the progress in medicine, life expectancy continues to rise and the causes of death change. Nowadays, people mainly die of prolonged diseases. The fear of a sudden death is being replaced by the fear of depending on nursing care and dying in a hospital. In order to grant dying at home, assistants in hospices support deceasing people and their families since the 1970s.
The Shroud
Preparing for your own death: most people in present-day society dread it, whereas many people in past times faced it straightforward. There can be purely material preparations. In that regard it was not unusual to buy your own coffin or shroud during your lifetime. Until the beginning of the 20th century the shroud was part of a dowry. Contemporary designer take up this long since forgotten tradition by creating shrouds that express a person’s individuality. Thus, they oppose the backless gowns (in German: Talare) used by undertakers for mostly practical reasons. Providing for one’s death also included financing one’s own funeral. By joining a guild or a brotherhood and paying them a regular fee, it was possible to secure the expenses for the burial- Moreover, those guilds or brotherhoods took certain measures to guarantee the salvation of the deceased member. These days it is necessary to join a death benefits fund in order to financially ensure your own funeral.
From Grim Reaper to Thanatos
From the Middle Ages till the Early Modern Era, death has been depicted as a skeleton, sometimes carrying a scythe, as a skull or a decaying corpse. However, due to changing attitudes and influenced by the Romantic Period, the image transformed at the end of the 18th century. The terrifying Grim Reaper was replaced by the beautiful youth Thanatos. In ancient Greece he embodied the brother of Sleep. Thanatos is often depicted leaning on a torch which is pointing downwards. He also carries poppy seed capsules. Both symbolize fading life and eternal sleep. The portrayal of Thanatos as an incarnation of death mostly derives from the study “Wie die Alten den Tod gebildet” (How the Ancients depicted Death) by G. E. Lessing (1769). It delves into the topic of death by analysing antique symbols and relics. Based on this, Lessing created a new motif of death, which later on became visible in changing forms of memorials and depictions of mourning. Those by no means expressed a rejection of the Christian belief of resurrection, though.
Tomb
Tomb with ficticious inscription Marble, gold plated
Quran
The Quran is the sacred scripture of Islam, which, according to Muslim belief, reflects divine revelation to the Prophet Muhammad. According to Islamic belief, the origin of the Koran lies directly in Allah. As the word of God, it may only be read and taught in Arabic for strictly devout Muslims.
3 Shrouds (Man)
The lifafa is unfolded under the body. The izar covers the body from the neck to the feet. The kamis covers the upper body.
5 Shrouds (Woman)
As for men, the woman's body is covered with the izar, kamis and lifafa. In addition: The hirka is spread over the head and chest. The khimar covers the woman's hair, parted in the middle.
Washing Utensils
Soap, masks, gloves, clean towels, various fragrances (alcohol-free rose water, damask rose, camphor, dried lotus root),
Coffin
An Islamic coffin should be made of untreated solid wood. The pointed lid shape is based on the tombs of Islamic saints and sages.
Coffin Cover
Velvet, embroidery with gold threads The coffin cover covers the coffin during the funeral prayer and is removed before the burial.
Inscription (embroidery)
"in the name of Allah, the Gracious and Merciful" "Allah is the Only One and Muhammad is His Prophet" "Every person will die and return to us" "When the time comes that they will die, time will neither advance nor retreat"
